Thread by @carolrosenberg

Good morning. Here are the latest Pentagon figures of test-confirmed #COVID19 afflicted in the Department of Defense.

That first reported Defense Department death was a Crystal City based contractor who worked at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, DSCA, had been hospitalized. Pentagon statement: "We thank the medical professionals who worked to save his life in the face of this virus."

Just in: The Guantanamo hospital/base spokesman says, as of now, "We still have no confirmed #COVID19 cases."

The entire #GTMO outpost is under a status of HPCON-C-. That's Health Protection Condition Charlie-Minus. (Definition anybody?)

As of now, tomorrow's Gitmo-Norfolk mixed cargo-passenger flight is still a go for mission essential and Guantanamo Hospital approved medical passengers.

Still no word on how/to where/turnaround time on Gitmo #COVID19 testing -- beyond an initial GTMO Public Affairs explanation that they are being shipped off island.

Today, the base school is still open but the barbershop/hair salon is closed. Some decisions are being made locally; others at various command headquarters.
Secretary of Defense now live briefing at Pentagon press room.

Guantanamo Bay Navy base has suspended flight to and from Jamaica. All of this is open-source @viking_jeremy.

Last call: Guantánamo announces the closure of three base bars — O’Kelly’s, the Tiki bar and Windjammer ballroom bar. (These are for residents — not detainees.) No mention of the O Club, Ricks.

Gitmo also closes the open-air cinemas, base library and the bowling alley, including the adjacent food court.

The base is also limiting gym and swimming pool use to the 2,000 or so military at Guantanamo base -- starting at 1700 tomorrow. The golf course remains open.

The Defense Department just announced that the Pentagon building has gone to full Health Protection Condition Charlie. HPCON-C. (No minus.) "Effective immediately." Lots of entry points closing. It had been open only to access card holders.

JUST IN: Schools are closing around noon tomorrow at the Guantánamo Bay Navy base, which has around 250 K through 12 students. A base announcement says students must report in the morning to get their “digital learning plan,” aka how to study remotely at the remote outpost.

From the announcement: “For the safety of the students, staff, and school community ... W.T. Sampson will be closed starting at 1145 tomorrow.” It said the decision was made jointly by base leadership and and those who run the Department of Defense worldwide base schools program.